Tyler Bleyendaal will start at flyhalf for the Crusaders against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Friday.
With Dan Carter on a sabbatical and Colin Slade suffering from a calf strain, coach Todd Blackadder has opted for Bleyendaal ahead of All Black Tom Taylor, who is on the bench.
In other surprising selections, wing Zac Guildford has been left out of the match 23 altogether, Dominic Bird will start at No 5 lock with the more experienced Luke Romano on the bench, while All Blacks loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett is also among the reserves.
Crusaders – 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tim Perry.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Rob Thompson.
Photo: Teaukura Moetaua/Getty Images
